To get Narnia right, they have to get Aslan right. The Great Lion, a reflection of the character of Christ, is the soul of the mythical kingdom and of C.S. Lewis’s book series The Chronicles of Narnia. In the adaptation of Prince Caspian, the second of the books being brought to the silver screen May 16 by Disney and Walden Media, they not only succeeded with Aslan, but also with more. They developed strong characters in Peter and Caspian, fun magical creatures, and a lot of sword-clanging action. The result is an edge of your seat movie with a solid faith-based core.

The film tells the story of Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), who is forced to flee his castle by his usurping uncle Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). Driven to the forest, he meets the true Narnians, talking animals, fauns, and dwarfs, also pressed into hiding by Miraz’s tyranny. His call for help is answered by a magical return of the four Pevensie children who once conquered the White Witch and ruled Narnia. Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) have grown one year older in their world while 1300 years have passed in Narnia. They return to a completely different realm than they had left.

“I think passionate, purist fans of Jack’s works are going to have some interesting surprises when they see this movie,” says Douglas Gresham, co-producer of the film and stepson of Lewis (who was also known as Jack), “There is no more purist, more passionate fan of Narnia than myself. After all, I grew up there.”

Surprises, for those who know the book well, start as soon as the film rolls. The storyline is jumbled from that of the book, and the action increased. Battle scenes play out on a grand scale, with PG rated heroics on every side. Fast fighting and slick effects make this an action movie to win the heart of boys everywhere. A new battle sequence, involving the storming of a castle, is inserted so seamlessly that it adds to the themes of the movie rather than detracts. There are some missteps as well. Someone – Disney’s fingerprints are all over this one – interjected a small romance into the plot. The thing that hits like a punch to the stomach, however, is an ambiguity involving Aslan, questioning for a moment if he was real or just a dream. Fortunately, it’s a blip that is quickly overcome by the many wonderful moments in the movie involving Aslan. He’s back and he’s bigger than ever.

Widely regarded, and acknowledged by Lewis himself, to be a representation of Christ, Aslan is less accessible in this movie than in the predecessor, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The children are older and they find Aslan both bigger and more elusive than they had before. Full of conflicting responsibilities and desires, they struggle to fit faith in Aslan into a more mature framework. Peter, in particular, has grown into a young man wanting to prove himself without anyone’s help, whether from Caspian, Edmund, or Aslan. His ego drives him to engage the enemy in ways that become disastrous for Narnia. Caspian is consumed with a desire for revenge on Miraz and increasing dismay as his losses mount. Both young men are tempted to turn away from the Lion. Lucy, the youngest, sees Aslan before the others do, but finds him wanting more from her than she expects. Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage) the dwarf plays the role of agnostic, refusing to believe in “fairy tales.” Only Edmund, for whom Aslan lay down his life in the prior movie, finds his faith keeping pace with his maturity.

All of the Aslan-centric conflict is woven well with the other great conflict: The increasingly dire situation of the Narnian army as Miraz surrounds it with his hordes. As arrows zip and catapults launch boulders at the Narnians, the viewer finds himself in the same place as most of the characters: longing for a glimpse of Aslan. This longing is the enduring legacy of the book series, the yearning it produces for the truth behind the fantasy world. Some people recognize the only inherent decency, honor, glory, and integrity of Narnia, while others make the easy step from Aslan to Christ.

Prince Caspian is fast paced, well acted, and laced through with humor. Reepicheep, a mouse full of valor and pride, along with the cantankerous Trumpkin, draw affectionate laughs. Special effects are wonderful, from the horse portion of a centaur, to a vengeful river god. Behind all the fun, Aslan prowls, waiting for his moment.  Producer and director Andrew Adamson and his team have made a thoroughly enjoyable movie that respects its source.